C. neoformans cells exposed to the peptide for 4 h and marked with calcofluor white. (A) Control; (B) amphotericin B (AMB) at the MIC; (C) fluconazole (FLC) at the MIC; (D to F) peptide MK58911-NH₂ (MK) at 1/2× MIC, the MIC, and 2× MIC; (G) average fluorescence intensity per cell; (H) number of cells. Data represent the means (± standard deviations [SD]) from three independent experiments. *, P < 0.05 compared to the control.

C. neoformans cells exposed to the peptide for 4 h and marked with India ink (A, B, and E to G) or antibody 18b7 (C, D, and H). (A and C) control; (B and D) peptide MK58911-NH₂ (MK) at the MIC; (E) total cell diameter; (F) diameter of the cell body (without capsule); (G) diameter of the capsule; (H) average fluorescence intensity per cell. Data represent the means (±SD) from three independent experiments. *, P < 0.05 compared to the control.

Representative images of zebrafish embryos exposed to a fungal suspension (1 × 10⁶ cells/ml) of C. neoformans. (A) Bright-field image; (B) fungal cells labeled with calcofluor white; (C) overlay of images; (D) effect on the fungal load in embryos infected and exposed to treatments with MK58911-NH₂ (MK), amphotericin B (AMB), and fluconazole (FLC) at the MIC for 24 h. Data represent the means (±SD) from two independent experiments. *, P < 0.05 compared to the control.

Activity of peptides MK58911-NH₂ and MH58911-NH₂ against intramacrophage C. neoformans (A) and on the viability of J774 macrophages (B). AMB, amphotericin B; FLC, fluconazole. Data represent the means (±SD) from three independent experiments. *, P < 0.05 compared to the control.

Activity of peptides MK58911-NH₂ (MK) and MH58911-NH₂ (MH) on biofilm formation at 0 h (A) and mature biofilm at 48 h (B) of C. neoformans. AMB, amphotericin B; FLC, fluconazole. Data represent the means (±SD) from three independent experiments. *, P < 0.05 compared to the control.